City Comparison
Champaign vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
36% lower than Orland Park's.
| Metric | Champaign | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,950 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $185 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,925 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Champaign | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Champaign comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 10.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Champaign leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Champaign is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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